Baton-metronome.



E. O. (IUSHING.

BATON METRONOME.

APPLICATION FILED MAR- 15. 1916.

Patented July 18, 1916.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD O. CUSI-IING, OF WAVERLY, MASSACHUSETTS.

BATON-METRONOME.

Application filed March 15, 1916.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD O. CUsI-IING, a; citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at lVaverly, Massachusetts, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Baton- Metronomes, of which the following isa specification.

The present invention relates to metronomes and relates moreparticularly to a new type of such instruments, in which an additionalelement, resembling in character and movement a baton, is used incombination with a swinging pendulum.

The instrument forming the subject of the present invention is what mayproperly be termed a baton metronome.

The principal object of the invention consists in providing a mechanicaldevice comprising a specially constructed pendulum adapted to carry andimpart rhythmical motion to a baton so as to cause the latter to movewith a regular up and down motion marking the time and accent to befollowed in the rendering of either vocal or instrumental music. So faras I am aware I am the first to provide a mechanical device having abaton member adapted to move with the even up and down' motion similarto that of the baton of a musical director.

A further object of the invention consists in the provision of speciallyformed supporting means for metronomes of this type, which permit of itsuse in convenient places on or about a piano, organ, etc.

A still further object of the invention consists in the provision ofcertain improved structural features and adjustments the advantages ofwhich will be apparent from the description thereof contained in thefollowing specification.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in thecombination and arrangement of parts more fully set forth in thefollowing specification, illustrated in the accompanying drawings andmore particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a front elevation of the invention. Fig. 2is a side elevation. Fig. 3 is a horizontal transverse section on line33 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a modified form ofsupporting base.

Referring to the drawing, particularly Figs. 1 to 3, the device issupported by a block 1 of Wood or any suitable material.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 18, 1916.

Serial No. 84,480.

The supporting block may be square, rectangular or of any desiredconfiguration provided it is of sufiicient size and weight to afford afirm and steady base. As the instrument is frequently placed on a pianoor organ, the underside of the supporting block is supplied with a feltcovering to prevent injury to the polished surface of the wood. Thesupporting stand comprises a vertical rod or standard 2 adapted to haveits lower end fit in a circular hole 3 in the supporting block 1, andhaving its upper end bent at right angles to provide an arm or bracket 4to the end of which a bearing yoke 5 is attached by a swiveled or setscrew connection 6. At each end of the prongs of the yoke 5 an upwardlyturned pin or book 7 is provided, which serve to support and retain theswinging members of the metronome. The body portion of the metronomeconsists of a weighted member 8 of general arcuate shape, which isformed with a centrally located web terminating in an upright slottedmember 8 A bearing pin 9 passes transversely through the portion 8 atright angles and projects an equal distance on each side thereof. Thepin 9 rests loosely on pin 7 and permits a free oscillation of theweighted member 8 and its associated parts. Rigidly supported and fixedwithin the slot of the upright member 8 is a bar 9 having graduationsmarked thereon corresponding to the length of the beats, or the numberof beats to the minute, which it is desired to have indicated. Thesegraduations may indicate the number of oscillations or beats per minuteand if desired, with the designations andante, adagio, etc. Thegraduations and figures are arranged in two columns. The left handcolumn requires a down and up stroke .for one beat, while the right handcolumn represents one heat with the down stroke and one beat with the upstroke. A slide or weight 10 resembling somewhat in contour the lowerweighted member 8 slides vertically up and down on the upright member 9and is adapted to be clamped in any adjusted position by means of aset-screw 11. As the slide 10 is moved toward the upper part of theupright 9, the number of oscillations is diminished. The weightedarcuate member 8 is provided at its right hand end with a circularrecess 8*, in which a specially constructed baton 12 is adapted to befitted. This baton attach- Inent resembles in shape and motion theordinary baton used by an instructor or musical conductor forinstrumental or vocal work.

The parts of this instrument can be made at very littlecost and itsconstruction is so simple that the device can be quickly and easilyassembled. By having the yoke member 5 swiveled or adjusted with a setscrew the bearing pins 7 may always be placed in a horizontal plane eventhrough the base block should be standing on an inclined or irregularsurface.

In Fig. 4: a modified form of base block 1 is shown, which is formedwith a concaved, upper surface 1 for the purpose of enabling it to beslid in under the music rest on the piano or organ, thus holding themetronome firmly directly in front of the person using the instrument.By carefully graduating the scale on the upright member 9, the slide 10can be positioned to secure any exact number of oscillations or beats ofthe baton 12, required in music.

That I claim is 1. In a metronome, the combination of a freely suspendedweight member, an upright bar extending therefrom, and a baton securedat one side of said weight member.

2. In a metronome, the combination of a freely suspended weight member,an upright bar extending vertically therefrom, and a removable pointeror baton adapted to be carried at either side of said weight andextending horizontally therefrom.

3. In a metronome the combination of a freely suspended weight member,an upright bar extending vertically therefrom, a baton extendinghorizontally from said weight and a slide member adjustably carried onsaid upright bar.

4. In a metronome the combination of a supporting stand, a swiveledbearing carr'ed thereon, a weight member freely suspended from saidbearing, a vertical graduated bar extending from said weight, ahorizontally disposed baton removably attached at one side of saidweight member.

In testimony whereof I atllix my signa ture.

EDWARD 0.. OUSI-IING. lVitnesses H. Bax'rnn SEVERANOE, RUTH E. A. Dunn.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C.

